[alliekat]

Our colt Aut of the Balou by Amazing, was really muddy today and it was just to cold and windy to bath. On a whim I thought it would be neat to introduce him to the vacuum. At first I turned it on while he stood in his stall. He looked up and walked over to the door curious to see what I had. I decided to bring him out in the isle and rub it all over him while it was off, getting him used to the hose and attachment. When he didn't blink and eye with that, we turned it on. He loved it! He never batted an eye, and only startled when I drug his lead rope across the ground. Then he realized what it was and was back to standing quietly.
I just love the brain on this boy. He truly wants to please in everything I ask of him and the trust he shows to his handler is such a blessing. I can't wait to meet his full sibling that is due in late spring.
Here is the video from our very first attempt at the vacuum.
Does anyone else vacuum their weanlings?
http://youtu.be/ow0BmbyW0Ow

[veetiepony]

No advice here, but i just saw a facebook friend of mine samantha tagged in your farm's photo. Small world.

[alliekat]

No advice here, but i just saw a facebook friend of mine samantha tagged in your farm's photo. Small world.

Yes, we are raising her C quito filly for her. That is her filly in the photo that got vacuumed for the first time today too

[lauriep]

Absolutely! That is the first thing they learn when they come to the farm!

[GingerJumper]

I saw your vacuuming pictures on Facebook... I love all the baby pics you guys post! If I'm ever in the market for a youngster I will be looking at yours first for sure.

[bluemoonfarms]

I do. The foals learn to love it quickly. A beauty treatment and massage all in one. My adult horses all really appreciate the extra attention. ⭐⭐

[tucktaway]

I do it while they're still with mom-- drag it right up to the stall. The mares love it and the babies learn by example!

[Kryzlstoff]

This is adorable!!
What kind of Vacuum is that??

[alliekat]

It is just a regular shop vac from my husbands work shop. They do make actualy vacuums for horses but this one was only 50 bucks so it will work for now

[bluemoonfarms]

I have this one

http://www.valleyvet.com/ct_detail.h...2-00b0d0204ae5

It is quite expensive and works far better than the other vacs. Mine is at least 10 yrs old and runs like a charm. Well worth the initial cost.

[ChocoMare]

Great video! Such a good baby!!!

While I don't breed, so no babies here, I do vacuum my yak of a Clyde-X with my man's BIG shop vac too. Got the hairy eyeball at first, but once she realized it wouldn't eat her, she was fine. Kinda helps that I trim hooves with a power angle grinder

[alliekat]

I have this one

http://www.valleyvet.com/ct_detail.h...2-00b0d0204ae5

It is quite expensive and works far better than the other vacs. Mine is at least 10 yrs old and runs like a charm. Well worth the initial cost.

I told my husband that I want one for Christmas next year, but I am hoping for my own Ultrasound first, so in the mean time the shop vac will have to do. I have used the one you have posted at a friends farm and love it!

[alexandra]

Vacuum foals ??? OUrs stay as they are. Wheather bad and dirty foal dirty. If you do too much on the coat you destroy the natural shield (fat) and e.g. water does get down to the skin and foal/horse gets ill easier.
So no fiddling around with coats of horses that are not riding horses at all on our side.
(The never the less can be brushed, groomed later on easily)

[alliekat]

Vacuum foals ??? OUrs stay as they are. Wheather bad and dirty foal dirty. If you do too much on the coat you destroy the natural shield (fat) and e.g. water does get down to the skin and foal/horse gets ill easier.
So no fiddling around with coats of horses that are not riding horses at all on our side.
(The never the less can be brushed, groomed later on easily)

So if they are crusted with mudd, you just leave them? That sounds like a recipe for rainrot and other skin issues. I can see not bathing them with soap often but I couldn't fathum not brushing or grooming our foals.

[alexandra]

Yes, and the never look really muddy. The mud dries and falls of if you have an undisturbed natural fat shield. Never had rainrot or other skin issues.

[propspony]

yep mine gets vacuumed! ;-)

[Kerole]

This may sound dumb, but is horse vacuuming the norm in the US? It would be considered a little odd here in NZ.

[alliekat]

This may sound dumb, but is horse vacuuming the norm in the US? It would be considered a little odd here in NZ.

Not dumb at all. I know many people who vacuum, especially during the winter months when the hair is much longer but it isn't a staple of all barn's grooming regimen. I like to start while they are foals as it makes body clipping late on a little easier

[Laurierace]

I had never used a vacuum before because I never had access to one but now that we have one at the barn I love it! It makes a huge difference on long, shaggy, winter coats. My filly didn't blink an eye when I first introduced her to it.

[Indy-lou]

How does the noise level on the Electrogroom compare to the Shop Vac in the video? I have a hard time tolerating the noise level of a regular Shop Vac myself, most actually hurt my ears.

Edit: After I posted, I Googled for Shop Vac noise, and found out they hurt my ears for good reason, the decibel levels are high. Found several ways posted to reduce the noise level and here is one. I'll see if my husband can build one for me. http://www.startwoodworking.com/post...-your-shop-vac.
Vacuuming makes sense in Winter for cold climates as I assume it wouldn't strip the natural hair oils horses need to stay warm.